"Without fail, three or four hideous paintings down the road, an absolutely wonderful painting appears. A painting that is a better painting than I know how to do. A painting that feels effortless." Eleanor Blair
The 'Moonlight Tree'. I painted this a few months ago and wasn't sure if I liked it or not. I do now. When I make a painting and it doesn't turn out quite right I am not always sure whether I am just having a negative day, or whether the painting really has bombed. So I do what writers do with their manuscripts and put it away in my cupboard for a while. These are what I call 'cupboard paintings'. After a few months spent 'incubating' in the cupboard I am able to look at the painting with fresh eyes. Some are hideous and head straight for the garbage bin :( Others like this one, need only a change of colour to become a success :)
Patti this is just stunning, I love it, also love the fossils too. I'm glad you took this one out of the closet :)
ReplyDeleteMe, too, Patti. I'm glad you took it out :) Love to you, O
ReplyDeleteI know about cupboard paintings, mine are "under the bed" paintings. But I said Ohhhh, when I opened your blogpage and saw this! Spiritual colours, it is deep and calm and soothing. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWhen you have that market stall, include the "cupboard paintings" - other people just might love them!
ReplyDeleteThis one is great.
LOVE this painting, Patti. I, too, will finish something and say, "Wow, this is garbage!" only to return to it later and really dig it. I am no longer allowed to gesso over paintings I hate in a given moment. My family laid down this law. How wise are they? Sometimes I am my own worst critic. And you know what is weird - I often sell pieces that I thought, "Well, this will NEVER sell." Interesting.
ReplyDeletePatti--I really like this one!
ReplyDeleteYour cupboard idea is smart. As you noted, writers have need for the same thing. Anne Lamott in "Bird by Bird" talks about how writers need to relax about the quality of their first drafts and keep writing--a crummy first draft can become marvelously well-written if it survives for further edits and rewrites! It's when you get too discouraged and quit that the real issues arise.
How true, how true.
ReplyDeleteMy family have forbidden me to destroy any work that I dislike for at least 2 years; and from bitter experience I have learnt they are right. I do have a 'cupboard', my 'cupboard' is a corner in the loft, out of sight out of mind hopefully.
Last week I discovered some life-drawings that have lain forgotten in a portfolio (in loft) for 6 years!!! (see recent posts) The Tutor I had at the time was very disparaging about them and I buried them away... now I just LOVE them. Silly cow (tutor not me)
Lovely to see your artwork up here on the screen again .... soooo bright and cheerful and refreshing; just what was needed.
P.S. Can't believe you are in the summer hols... I've just started putting the heating on :-(
good to have you back.
A lovely, cheerful piece. I also liked "fossils". When I used to "do" craft fairs, I'd put out everything I had (handbound books, handmade paper wallhangings etc) even if I didn't like particular items. VERY often the items I didn't like sold or at the least were commented on. Also, I had a semi-sculpted handmade paper piece that I hated and put away for two years. One day I began playing with it and walaa, it came together and it too sold. Who can figure??
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to see that this one made it through the cupboard trial process. The design and colors are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThis is great. I LOVE it!!!
ReplyDeleteAnnie
xxx
This is a gorgeous one!
ReplyDeleteLove the pink flowers.
I cannot believe you had to think about it...but that's how artists are, right?
xo
no way! i cant believe! a few months ago i started a drawing almost exactly like this! the trunk was on the other side of the page and the branches ended in spindrels (is that word?) and the was a horizon with the ocean and star light sky with a crescent moon. i gave up the drawing tho cuz i was using colored pencils and it was so big and i got frustrated. lol i love this painting!
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ReplyDeleteOh Patti, I do love this. It's alluring and mysterious...and beautiful...and unique! The title is perfect.. love the colors too. The tree looks like it could gracefully sway across the horizon Simply beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for creating such a feast for the eyes...and heart.
I love this one Patti!
ReplyDeleteBeen here before......Sukipoet told me to have a look at your mandalas, so I did (i have to turn a few pages to find them and found all sort of happy beautiful things along the way), they are very bright and colorful; happy mandala´s.
Good Job! :)
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